Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #237

11-17-16   Gaea Star Crystal Radio Hour #237 is a compelling, varied, impassioned hour of improvised music and the songs of visionary songwriter Mariam Massaro and features Mariam on vocals, celtic harp, acoustic guitar, native flute, harmonica and percussion, Dameron Midgett on mandolin, acoustic guitar and didjeridoo, Craig Harris on congas and balaphone and Bob Sherwood on piano.  Taping live at Singing Brook Studio in Worthington MA, we begin today’s session with the magical, pastoral “Come And See My Beauty” featuring Mariam’s harp and and Bob’s stately, elegiac piano in languid dialog.  Lush vocals and native flute against Craig’s double time congas provide a hypnotic coda that leads us into Mariam’s “Rise And Open To Life”, an uplifting folk number featuring Dameron on mandolin.  “Another Day In Paradise” is a gorgeous, upbeat celebration of nature with fine mandolin work from Dameron and Bob’s ever-in-motion piano supporting Mariam’s visionary, meditative lyric.  The ensemble swings through a bluesy instrumental and Mariam’s native flute announce the end.  “Prayers To Change It All” takes us to the Newburyport Wildlife Refuge for Mariam’s meditation on the ocean at low tide.  Pretty, minor and unhurried, the piece picks up momentum like a summer squall and floats into a beautiful native flute solo from Mariam.  The beautiful and powerful waltz “Queen Of Heaven” brings the show to a close today with a solid, inspired performance from the band and lovely double-tracked lead vocals from Mariam.